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United States Patent |
5,203,556
|
Smith
,   et al.
|
April 20, 1993
|
Method and apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of
flexible products
Abstract
A method and apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of
individual flexible products, such as plastic bags or containers, is
provided which enables the use of extended length orbital packer fingers
for removing closely spaced flexible products from a transfer drum and
delivering them to a stacking table. The apparatus includes a product drum
for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to
a transfer point, and a transfer drum positioned at the transfer point for
transferring the flexible products to a delivery point while maintaining
substantially the same spacing between the products. Adjacent the transfer
drum is an orbital packing mechanism including a shaft mounted adjacent
the transfer drum for orbital movement and a plurality of packer fingers
secured to the shaft and extending into the annular grooves for removing
the flexible products sequentially from the transfer drum and delivering
them to the delivery point. The fingers are preferably designed to extend
and contact across substantially the full width of the flexible products
as the products are removed from the transfer drum to prevent bag fold
over problems and misalignment in the stacking of the products.
Inventors:
|
Smith; David A. (Midland, MI);
Nestle; Robert J. (Essexville, MI)
|
Assignee:
|
Dowbrands L.P. (Indianapolis, IN)
|
Appl. No.:
|
956571 |
Filed:
|
October 5, 1992 |
Current U.S. Class: |
271/308; 271/196 |
Intern'l Class: |
B65H 029/54; B65H 029/32 |
Field of Search: |
271/96,108,196,307,308,310
74/395
209/553
|
References Cited
U.S. Patent Documents
3369436 | Feb., 1968 | Loase | 74/395.
|
3516297 | Jun., 1970 | Dollinger | 74/395.
|
3916790 | Nov., 1975 | Alix | 271/108.
|
4024814 | May., 1977 | Becker | 271/276.
|
4474367 | Oct., 1984 | Jongerling et al. | 271/276.
|
4754962 | Jul., 1988 | Kontz | 271/196.
|
4911423 | Mar., 1990 | Smith et al. | 271/196.
|
4919415 | Apr., 1990 | Smith et al. | 271/196.
|
5014978 | May., 1991 | Smith et al. | 271/308.
|
5062603 | Nov., 1991 | Smith et al. | 271/196.
|
5062623 | Nov., 1991 | Smith et al. | 271/196.
|
Foreign Patent Documents |
3365 | Jan., 1989 | JP | 74/395.
|
Primary Examiner: Olszewski; Robert P.
Assistant Examiner: Milef; Boris
Parent Case Text
This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/606,217
filed Oct. 31, 1990, now abandoned, which is a continuation-in-part of
U.S. application Ser. No. 07/286,205, filed Dec. 19, 1988, now U.S. Pat.
No. 5,014,978, for METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE SEQUENTIAL HANDLING OF
FLEXIBLE PRODUCTS.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. An apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products comprising:
means for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible
products to a transfer point:
means positioned at said transfer point for transferring said flexible
products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same
spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum
having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and
means for rotating said drum;
a shaft mounted adjacent said transfer drum for orbital movement, including
drive means for orbiting said shaft; and
a plurality of fingers secured to said shaft and extending into said
annular grooves for removing said flexible products sequentially from said
transfer drum and delivering them to said delivery point, said fingers
extending and contacting across substantially the full width of said
flexible products as said products are removed from said transfer drum.
2. The apparatus of claim 1 in which said vacuum transfer drum includes a
vacuum source, and a plurality of vacuum ports about the outer periphery
of said transfer drum and communicating with said vacuum source for
securing the leading edges of said flexible products to the outer surface
of said transfer drum.
3. The apparatus of claim 2 including a series of vacuum ports arrayed
across the transfer drum surface associated with respective leading edges
of said flexible products, and means for adjusting the point at which the
vacuum at each successive series of ports is terminated, said adjusting
means being capable of operation during operation of said apparatus.
4. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for stacking said individual
flexible products.
5. The apparatus of claim 4 in which said stacking means includes means for
halting the horizontal movement of said flexible products.
6. The apparatus of claim 5 in which said halting means include a back
stop.
7. The apparatus of claim 5 in which the orbit of said fingers is at bottom
dead center when said individual flexible products reach said halting
means.
8. The apparatus of claim 1 including means for adjusting the pick off
position of said fingers relative to said transfer drum.
9. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said means for adjusting the pick off
position comprise a phaser, and means for adjusting the output of said
phaser to control the orbiting of said shaft and the positioning of said
fingers.
10. The apparatus of claim 8 in which said means for adjusting the output
of said phaser include a hand wheel connected to said phaser.
11. A method for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products comprising the steps of:
delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to a
transfer point;
transferring said flexible products from said transfer point to a delivery
point while maintaining substantially the same spacing between said
products by transferring said flexible products onto a rotating vacuum
transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery
thereof;
removing said flexible products sequentially from said transfer drum and
delivering them to said delivery point using a plurality of fingers which
extend into said annular grooves and remove said flexible products
sequentially from said transfer drum and deliver them to said delivery
point, said fingers extending and contacting across substantially the full
width of said flexible products as said products are removed from said
transfer drum.
12. The method of claim 11 in which the leading edges of said flexible
products are secured to the outer surface of said transfer drum by vacuum,
and said vacuum on said leading edges of said flexible products is
released at the point at which said fingers contact across substantially
the full width of said flexible products.
13. The method of claim 12 including the step of stacking said flexible
products as said products are removed from said transfer drum.
14. The method of claim 13 in which said flexible products are stacked
against a back stop.
15. The method of claim 13 in which the orbit of said fingers reaches
bottom dead center as said leading edges of said flexible products
contacts said back stop.
16. A method for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products comprising the steps of:
delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to a
transfer point;
transferring said flexible products from said transfer point to a delivery
point by transferring said flexible products onto a rotating vacuum
transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery
thereof:
removing said flexible products sequentially from said transfer drum and
delivering them to said delivery point using a plurality of fingers which
extend into said annular grooves and remove said flexible products
sequentially from said transfer drum and deliver them to said delivery
point, the orbit of said fingers reaching bottom dead center as said
leading edges of said flexible products contact said backstop.
17. An apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products comprising:
means for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible
products to a transfer point:
means positioned at said transfer point for transferring said flexible
products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same
spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum
having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and
means for rotating said drum;
a shaft mounted adjacent said transfer drum for orbital movement, including
drive means for orbiting said shaft; and
a plurality of fingers secured to said shaft and extending into said
annular grooves for removing said flexible products sequentially from said
transfer drum and delivering them to said delivery point; and
means for adjusting the pick off position of said fingers relative to said
transfer drum, said means for adjusting the pick off position comprising a
phaser, and means for adjusting the output of said phaser to control the
orbiting of said shaft and the positioning of said fingers.
18. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said means for adjusting the output
of said phaser include a hand wheel connected to said phaser.
19. The apparatus of claim 17 in which said vacuum transfer drum includes a
vacuum source, and a plurality of vacuum ports about the outer periphery
of said transfer drum and communicating with said vacuum source for
securing the leading edges of said flexible products to the outer surface
of said transfer drum.
20. The apparatus of claim 19 including a series of vacuum ports arrayed
across the transfer drum surface associated with respective leading edges
of said flexible products, and means for adjusting the point at which the
vacuum at each successive series of ports is terminated, said adjusting
means being capable of operation during operation of said apparatus.
21. The apparatus of claim 17 including means for stacking said individual
flexible products.
22. The apparatus of claim 21 in which said stacking means includes means
for halting the horizontal movement of said flexible products.
23. The apparatus of claim 22 in which said halting means include a back
stop.
24. The apparatus of claim 22 in which the orbit of said fingers is at
bottom dead center when said individual flexible products reach said
halting means.
25. An apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products comprising:
means for delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible
products to a transfer point;
means positioned at said transfer point for transferring said flexible
products to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same
spacing between said products, said means including a vacuum transfer drum
having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and
means for rotating said drum;
a shaft mounted adjacent said transfer drum for orbital movement, including
drive means for orbiting said shaft: and
a plurality of fingers secured to said shaft and extending into said
annular grooves for removing said flexible products sequentially from said
transfer drum and delivering them to said delivery point;
means for stacking said individual flexible products;
means for separating a predetermined number of said individual flexible
products from the stack: and
means for adjusting the timing between the removal of said predetermined
number of flexible products from said stack and the removal of said
flexible products from said transfer drum by said fingers, said means for
adjusting the timing comprising a phaser having an output for driving said
means for separating said individual flexible products.
26. The apparatus of claim 25 in which the output from said phaser is
controlled by operation of a hand wheel connected to said phaser.
27. The apparatus of claim 25 in which said means for separating a
predetermined number of said individual flexible products from the stack
comprise count fingers movable from a position adjacent said stack of
individual flexible products to a position separating said stack into a
predetermined number of individual flexible products.
28. In an apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products including
means for transferring said flexible products to a delivery point while
maintaining substantially the same spacing between said products, said
means including a vacuum transfer drum having a plurality of annular
grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for rotating said drum;
said vacuum transfer drum including a vacuum source, and a plurality of
vacuum ports about the outer periphery of said transfer drum and
communicating with said vacuum source for securing the leading edges of
said flexible products to the outer surface of said transfer drum; and
means for adjusting the point at which the vacuum at each successive port
is terminated, said means comprising a movable slug including means
associated with said slug for advancing or retarding the position of said
slug, and means for providing an indication of the position of said slug,
said means for advancing and retarding the position of said slug being
capable of operation while said apparatus is in operation.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the sequential
handling of a series of individual flexible products, and more
particularly to a high speed handling and delivery system for flexible
plastic bags or containers.
In the production of individual flexible web products such as plastic
containers and bags, the bag stock is typically supplied in the form of a
continuous web of thermoplastic material which has been folded upon itself
to form two plies. In forming individual bags, portions of the
thermoplastic material are severed from the web. These severed areas
become side seams for the bags and are typically sealed at the same time
as they are severed by the use of a heated wire element. The bags are then
stacked, counted, and packaged by packing equipment.
The severing and sealing operation typically takes place on a relatively
large diameter rotating drum which may contain multiple heated wire
severing and sealing elements positioned in grooves located within the
outer periphery of the drum. As the drum rotates, different severing and
sealing elements are actuated to raise them up to the drum surface to
sever and seal a respective portion of the bag stock web. The individual
bags are retained on the drum by a vacuum arrangement as the drum rotates.
Since the individual bags are formed from a continuous web, the spacing
between successive bags is small, resulting from the melt back of the
thermoplastic web material as the side seams are severed and sealed by the
heated wire element.
Individual bags are then taken from the drum, stacked, and packaged.
Desirably, the packaging operation occurs at the highest possible speed
the equipment can be operated to increase productivity of the system.
Further, because of the high operating speeds involved, precise timing is
required for taking the bags from the product drum and transfer drum. The
high operating speeds also make necessary the accurate timing of the
stacking and removal of bags during their packaging.
Presently, individual bags are taken from the drum by a smaller transfer
drum, also suitably equipped with vacuum capabilities. The vacuum on the
bags on the large drum is relieved at an appropriate point, and the bags
fall onto the smaller drum where they are held in position by vacuum. At
an appropriate point, the vacuum is released and the individual bags are
pulled off the smaller drum by an orbital packer or similar device.
As is conventional, the orbital packing device is provided with a set of
packer fingers which move in a generally circular orbital path in timing
with the smaller transfer drum so that the fingers remove successive bags,
which are closely spaced and typically separated on the drum only
approximately 1/8 to 1/2 inch from each other, from the drum and stack
them on a stacking table against a generally vertically extending
backstop. These orbiting packer fingers must move at very high speeds to
strip each successive bag from the drum and may actually accelerate the
bags toward the backstop. Such acceleration of the bags is undesirable as
the bags may fold, bounce, or crumple when they hit the backstop. This
sometimes leads to machine jams, causing excessive downtime for the
machinery.
Even if the machinery does not jam, the stack of bags which is formed on
the stacking table may be uneven so that when the stack is boxed, bags may
be left hanging out of the box. Such boxes must be removed from the
assembly line and repacked by hand. Even minor unevenness of the bag stack
may make it more difficult for a consumer to dispense the bags from a box.
If one or more of the bags in the stack is crumpled, the vertical height
of the stack is affected so that when the count fingers are activated to
separate the previous precounted stack from the next stack, the fingers
may strike the stack. Again, this leads to machine jams and downtime for
the machinery.
Another problem in conventional orbital packing devices is that the orbit
of the packer fingers is designed so that the fingers contact
substantially less than the full bag width as they move out of the grooves
and strip the bag from the surface of the transfer drum. The packer
fingers and their orbit are designed in this manner to prevent the fingers
from contacting the leading edge of the next succeeding bag on the
transfer drum as their orbit brings the fingers into and out of the
grooves on the transfer drum surface. At typical operating speeds, the
fingers accelerate the bags vertically downwardly away from the transfer
drum surface at a high velocity. In some instances, this may cause the
trailing edge of a bag, which is not in contact with the packer fingers,
to fold up and over against itself. A folded bag placed on the bag stack
again affects the height of the stack so that the count fingers may not
operate properly to separate a predetermined number of bags from the
stack. Additionally, such a folded bag may also cause a jam from the next
bag striking the folded trailing edge.
A packing device having extended length packer fingers which extend and
contact across substantially the full width of the bags is disclosed in
commonly-assigned, copending U.S. application Ser. No. 286,205, filed Dec.
19, 1988 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,978. However, that application recommends
that increased spacing be provided between the bags to avoid problems of
the longer fingers contacting the leading edge of the next sequential bag.
Increased spacing may be accomplished by increasing the surface speed of
the transfer drum relative to the product drum so that bags on the
transfer drum are spaced further apart. Additionally, spacing between bags
may be increased by 1) employing a side-shifting transfer drum as taught
in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 4,911,423, issued Mar. 27,1990, or 2) a
plurality of transfer drums as taught in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No.
4,919,415, issued Apr. 24, 1990.
However, it would be desirable to be able to take advantage of the extended
length fingers contacting substantially the entire surface of the bag in
conventional equipment having only slight spacing of from about 1/8 to 1/2
inch between adjacent bags on the transfer drum. Further, it would be
desirable to be able to control precisely the timing for the packer and
count fingers and vacuum transfer mechanisms so that machine jams and
stacking problems can be reduced. Accordingly, the need still exists in
the art for a method and apparatus for the sequential handling and
delivery of flexible products at high speeds without the folding, jamming,
or stacking problems which have plagued prior art orbital packing
equipment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention meets that need by providing a method and apparatus
for the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products,
such as plastic bags or containers, which enables the use of extended
length orbital packer fingers for removing closely spaced flexible
products from a transfer drum and delivering them to a stacking table.
Further, the timing of the orbital packer fingers is advanced from that of
the prior art such that the leading edges of the flexible products contact
a backstop on the stacking table substantially at the point where the
packer fingers have reached bottom dead center of their orbit. This
arrangement reduces the effects of horizontal acceleration of the flexible
products as they are delivered to the stacking table and reduces bag
crumpling, fold over, and bounce. This provides more uniform stacks and
prevents misalignment of the bags which may lead to jamming of the
equipment or improper loading of the flexible products into packages.
Additionally, the present invention provides means for adjusting the pick
off position of the packer fingers relative to the transfer drum while the
apparatus is in operation to insure that the packer fingers do not contact
succeeding bags on the transfer drum. Also, the present invention provides
means for adjusting the timing of the count fingers relative to the
orbital packer fingers while the apparatus is in operation to permit
precise control of the count finger "dive" into the stack of bags to
separate a predetermined number of bags from the stack. These capabilities
of having accessible, external controls for adjustment of the apparatus
while in operation provide significant advantages over prior art
apparatuses and practices which required laborious trial and error
adjustments while the machinery was shut down.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, an apparatus for
the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products is
provided which includes means for delivering a series of closely spaced
individual flexible products to a transfer point, with a spacing there
between of typically less than about 1/2 inch, and means positioned at the
transfer point for transferring said flexible products to a delivery point
while maintaining substantially the same spacing between the products. The
means at the transfer point include a vacuum transfer drum having a
plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for
rotating the drum.
Adjacent the transfer drum is an orbital packing mechanism including a
shaft mounted adjacent the transfer drum for orbital movement, drive means
for orbiting the shaft, and a plurality of packer fingers secured to the
shaft and extending into the annular grooves for removing the flexible
products sequentially from the transfer drum and delivering them to the
delivery point. The fingers are designed to extend and contact across
substantially the full width of the flexible products as the products are
removed from the transfer drum to prevent bag fold over problems and
misalignment in the stacking of the products.
The vacuum transfer drum includes a vacuum source, and a plurality of
vacuum ports about the outer periphery of the transfer drum. Communicating
with the vacuum source, a series of vacuum ports are arrayed across the
transfer drum surface parallel to the rotational axis of the drum to
secure associated leading edges of the flexible products to the outer
surface of the transfer drum. To insure proper transfer, the vacuum at
each successive series of ports is terminated at a point where the fingers
come into contact across substantially the full width of the flexible
products.
The apparatus also preferably includes means for adjusting the point at
which the vacuum to each successive series of ports is terminated, with
the adjusting means being capable of operation while the apparatus is in
operation. The termination point for the vacuum can be made adjustable by
a suitable means such as a movable slug mounted in the vacuum manifold and
connected to an external control device which also provides an indication
of the position of the slug. The movable slug also preferably includes a
threaded adjusting rod and turnbuckle secured to the slug for extending or
retracting the position of the slug within the manifold.
The apparatus also preferably includes means for stacking the individual
flexible products, such as a stacking table and means for halting the
horizontal movement of the flexible products, such as a backstop on the
stacking table. To minimize the effects of horizontal acceleration of the
flexible products as they are removed from the transfer drum, the timing
of the packer fingers is advanced from that typically used in the prior
art so that the orbit of the fingers is at bottom dead center when the
individual flexible products reach the back stop. This prevents bag
crumpling and bounce.
The apparatus of the present invention may also include means for adjusting
the pick off position of the packer fingers relative to the transfer drum
while the apparatus is in operation. By "pick off position", we mean the
point in the orbit of the packer fingers at which the fingers engage the
bags and strip them from the transfer drum. This means for adjusting the
pick off position may comprise a phaser and also includes means for
adjusting the output of the phaser to control the orbiting of the orbital
packer shaft and, thus, the positioning of the packer fingers. In this
manner, the timing between the orbital packer fingers and rotating
transfer drum may be precisely controlled while the apparatus is in
operation to insure that the packer fingers do not contact succeeding bags
on the transfer drum. This precise control reduces the potential for
machine jams and is useful not only for the extended length packer fingers
of the present invention, but also for use in conjunction with machinery
using conventional length fingers.
The present invention also provides a method for the sequential handling
and delivery of individual flexible products which includes the steps of
delivering a series of closely spaced individual flexible products to a
transfer point, with a spacing therebetween of typically less than about
1/2 inch, and then transferring the flexible products from the transfer
point to a delivery point by transferring the flexible products onto a
rotating vacuum transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about
the periphery thereof.
The flexible products are removed sequentially from the transfer drum and
delivered to the delivery point using a plurality of fingers which extend
into the annular grooves in the transfer drum. The fingers extend and
contact across substantially the full width of the flexible products as
the products are removed from the transfer drum.
In a preferred form, the leading edges of the flexible products are secured
to the outer surface of the transfer drum by vacuum, and the vacuum on the
leading edges of the flexible products is released at the point at which
the fingers contact across substantially the full width of the flexible
products. The method of the present invention also optionally includes the
step of stacking the flexible products as the products are removed from
the transfer drum, preferably on a stacking table against a back stop. As
discussed previously, the timing of the pick off of the flexible products
by the packer fingers from the transfer drum is such that as the flexible
products are delivered to the stacking table, the orbit of the fingers
reaches bottom dead center as the leading edges of the flexible products
contact the backstop.
In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, an
apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible
products is provided which includes means for delivering a series of
closely spaced individual flexible products to a transfer point, with a
spacing therebetween of typically less than about 1/2 inch, and means
positioned at the transfer point for transferring said flexible products
to a delivery point while maintaining substantially the same spacing
between the products. The means at the transfer point include a vacuum
transfer drum having a plurality of annular grooves about the periphery
thereof, and means for rotating the drum.
Adjacent the transfer drum is an orbital packer mechanism including a shaft
mounted adjacent the transfer drum for orbital movement, drive means for
orbiting the shaft, and a plurality of packer fingers secured to the shaft
and extending into the annular grooves for removing the flexible products
sequentially from the transfer drum and delivering them to the delivery
point.
The vacuum transfer drum includes a vacuum source, and a plurality of
vacuum ports about the outer periphery of the transfer drum. Communicating
with the vacuum source, a series of vacuum ports are arrayed across the
transfer drum surface to secure associated leading edges of the flexible
products to the outer surface of the transfer drum. To insure proper
transfer, the vacuum at each successive series of ports is terminated at a
point where the fingers come in to contact across substantially the full
width of the flexible products.
This embodiment of the invention may also include means for adjusting the
pick off position of the packer fingers relative to the transfer drum
while the apparatus is in operation. This means for adjusting the pick off
position may comprise a phaser and also includes mean for adjusting the
output of the phaser to control the orbiting of the orbital packer shaft
and, thus, the positioning of the packer fingers. In this manner, the
timing between the orbital packer fingers and rotating transfer drum may
be precisely controlled while the apparatus is in operation to insure that
the packer fingers do not contact succeeding bags on the transfer drum.
In still another embodiment of the invention, an apparatus for the
sequential handling and delivery of individual flexible products is
provided and includes means for delivering a series of closely spaced
individual flexible products to a transfer point. Means are positioned at
the transfer point for transferring the flexible products to a delivery
point while maintaining substantially the same spacing between the
products. The transfer means include a vacuum transfer drum having a
plurality of annular grooves about the periphery thereof, and means for
rotating the drum.
A shaft is mounted adjacent the transfer drum for orbital movement and
includes drive means for orbiting the shaft. A plurality of fingers are
secured to the shaft and extend into the annular grooves for removing the
flexible products sequentially from the transfer drum and delivering them
to the delivery point. The apparatus also includes means for stacking the
individual flexible products and means for separating a predetermined
number of the individual flexible products from the stack.
Additionally, the apparatus includes means for adjusting the timing between
the separation of the predetermined number of flexible products from the
stack and the removal of the flexible products from the transfer drum by
the packer fingers. The means for adjusting the timing comprise a phaser
having an output for driving the means for separating the individual
flexible products from the stack to control the timing thereof. The
ability to control the timing while the apparatus is in operation reduces
the potential for machine jams, stacking problems, and down time as minor
adjustments may be made as needed. The means for separating a
predetermined number of the individual flexible products from the stack
preferably comprise count fingers movable from a position adjacent the
stack of individual flexible products to a position separating the stack
into a predetermined number of individual flexible products.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method
and apparatus for the sequential handling and delivery of individual
flexible products, such as plastic bags or containers, which enables the
use of extended length orbital packer fingers for removing closely spaced
flexible products from a transfer drum. It is a further object of the
present invention to provide a method and apparatus which prevent
horizontal acceleration of the flexible products as they are delivered and
stacked. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a
method and apparatus to adjust precisely the timing for the packer and
count fingers and vacuum transfer mechanisms in a device for the
sequential handling of individual flexible products so that machine jams
and stacking problems are reduced. These, and other objects and advantages
of the present invention, will become apparent from the following detailed
description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic side elevational view of the sequential handling and
delivery system of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the transfer drum of FIG. 1
with packer fingers fully extended and showing details of the orbital
mechanism:
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front elevational view taken along line 3--3 in FIG.
2 illustrating the packer fingers within the annular grooves in the drum;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged side elevational view of the transfer drum of FIG. 1
with packer fingers extending across substantially the entire bag surface
and contacting the trailing edge of a bag:
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side elevational view of the transfer drum of FIG. 1
with packer fingers extending across substantially the entire bag surface
and contacting substantially the entire surface of the bag just as it is
to be picked off of the transfer drum;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged side elevational view of the transfer drum of FIG. 1
with the packer fingers at bottom dead center of their orbit and the
leading edge of the bag just striking the backstop on the stacking table:
FIG. 7 is an enlarged side elevational view of the transfer drum of FIG. 1
with the packer fingers approximately 90 degrees past bottom dead center
and the tips of the packer fingers just clearing the leading edge of the
next bag:
FIG. 8 is a side plan view of the drive apparatus for the orbital packer
mechanism, showing the phase adjustment and control device:
FIG. 9 is an end plan view taken along line 9--9 in FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an end plan view taken along line 10--10 in FIG. 8:
FIG. 11 is a top plan view taken along line 11--11 in FIG. 8:
FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the counter mechanism shown in FIG.
11:
FIG. 13 is a front plan view taken along line 13--13 in FIG. 11:
FIG. 14 is a front plan view of a preferred vacuum adjustment mechanism for
the vacuum manifold on the transfer drum;
FIG. 15 is a top plan view taken along line 15--15 in FIG. 14; and
FIG. 16 is a side plan view of the vacuum adjustment mechanism of FIG. 14.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to FIG. 1, one embodiment of the sequential product handling
and delivery system of the present invention is illustrated in schematic
form. Handling and delivery system 10 receives a continuous web,
designated film web 12, from a spool (not shown) or directly from an
extrusion line. While the invention will be described in the context of a
web of thermoplastic material used to form individual plastic bags or
containers, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the
delivery system of the present invention is applicable to other products
which are fed from a continuous web and then divided into a series of
closely spaced individual flexible products. By closely spaced, we mean
products which typically are spaced less than about 1/2 inch apart, and
most typically have a spacing between products of from about 1/8 to 1/2
inch.
Film web 12 may either be a zippered or unzippered bag stock being folded
on itself to provide a two ply film. Film web 12 is caused to pass over
dancer roll 14 which acts to control film web tension based on its
vertical positioning. Film web 12 is then pulled through a draw roll
arrangement 16 which is driven at a speed slightly in excess of the
rotational speed of product drum 24. This type of operation permits some
slack in the film as it is being fed onto vacuum product drum 24. Vacuum
product drum 24 is driven by drive means (not shown) in a conventional
manner. The film web 12 then passes over a lay-on roll 18 which is located
to position the film web accurately against the rotating product drum
surface.
Film web 12 is then severed and sealed on product drum 24 in the following
manner. Film web 12 is clamped tightly to the outer surface of product
drum 24 at a severing and sealing edge of a heating element slot 21 by
seal bar assembly 20. Seal bar assembly 20 is aligned in proper position
through the use of yokes 22 on the product drum 24. As product drum 24
rotates in the direction of the arrow, a heated wire severing and sealing
element, shown generally at 26, operable through a cam assembly (not
shown), emerges from a recess in product drum 24 and severs film web 12 at
position A. The severing and sealing element remains extended for
approximately 120 degrees of rotation of the product drum until the
severing and sealing element 26 is withdrawn as shown schematically at
position B. During the time that the element is extended, the film melts
back to the edge of the seal bar assembly 20 and a bead seal forms on the
edge of the bag. This melt back of the thermoplastic film results in less
than an approximately 1/2 inch spacing between adjacent bags on product
drum 24, and typically an approximately 1/8 to 1/2 inch spacing. The
spacing further aids in preventing adjacent bags from touching and
resealing to each other. Individual bags 28 are formed by the severing and
sealing of the film web on adjacent seal bar assemblies.
Just prior to the release of the clamping force of the seal bar assembly
20, a vacuum is applied to the leading edge of individual bags 28. Seal
bar assembly 20 is removed from the product drum by a continuous chain
drive 30 having sprockets 32 and 34 located on opposite sides of product
drum 24. The chain drive permits precise positioning of the individual
seal bar assemblies 20 along the surface of the product drum.
Individual bags 28 are held in position on rotating product drum 20 by
respective vacuum ports 36 which communicate with a central manifold 38,
which in turn communicates with a vacuum source (not shown). Each port 36,
as shown, represents a series of vacuum ports arrayed across the surface
of drum 24 parallel to the rotational axis of the drum so that multiple
individual ports hold bags 28 in position. As shown, as product drum 24
rotates, vacuum ports 36 are brought into and out of communication with
manifold 38. This construction causes a vacuum to be applied to the
leading edges of bags 28 beginning at a point just prior to the removal of
seal bar assembly 20 until just prior to transfer to transfer drum 40.
Bags 28 are held onto rotating transfer drum 40 by a similar vacuum system.
Vacuum ports 42 communicate with a central manifold 44, which in turn
communicates with a vacuum source (not shown). Again, each port 42, as
shown, represents a series of vacuum ports arrayed across the surface of
drum 40. As shown, at a point approximately along a line between the
centers of product drum 24 and transfer drum 40, the vacuum is relieved
from product drum 24. Gravity then causes the bags 28 to fall toward drum
40 where a corresponding vacuum port 42 is activated.
The vacuum ports 42 on transfer drum 40 are positioned so that each as
individual bag 28 is removed from the product drum it is held on the
surface of transfer drum 40 by a corresponding series of vacuum ports 42
arrayed across the drum surface. As shown, each series of vacuum ports is
active during rotation of transfer drum 40 until a point just past
vertical alignment with packing device 60 and just as orbital packer
fingers 62 come fully into contact across substantially the full width of
bags 28. As bags 28 are brought around transfer drum 40, the vacuum
through vacuum ports 42 hold onto the bags until they reach this position
where the vacuum is released. Means, such a movable slug 46, are mounted
in manifold 44 so that the precise cut off point where the vacuum is
terminated may be adjusted while the apparatus is in operation, as
explained in greater detail below.
As illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 14-16, the positioning of slug 46
in relation to the pick off point for bags 28 from vacuum ports 42, may be
adjusted using an adjusting rod 160 mounted within bracket 162. Rod 160 is
threaded so that rotation of the rod in a clockwise direction advances the
vacuum release timing by moving a hexagonally-shaped turnbuckle 159 which
extends or retracts slug 46 further forward on central manifold 44. This
positioning of vacuum slug 46 causes it to cover each succeeding vacuum
port 42 sooner as drum 40 rotates so that the vacuum to each port is cut
off sooner. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 14, the positioning of
slug 46 will cause vacuum to port 42 to be cut off just as that port
reaches a vertical orientation (just as the leading edge of bag 28 reaches
its lowest point as drum 40 rotates). Conversely, by turning adjusting rod
160 counterclockwise, the vacuum release timing of the bags will be
retarded, as the vacuum ports will be in communication with the vacuum
source for a greater period. By "vacuum release", we mean the point at
which the vacuum to a port 42 is terminated.
To provide an indication of the degree of advancement or retardation of the
vacuum release timing, a first gear 166 is engaged with a second gear 167
on rod 160 to display an output on digital counter 168. By providing a rod
with a known number of threads per inch, the amount of movement of slug
46, as displayed on counter 168, will be known and can be adjusted, as
necessary, even when the apparatus is in operation. The use of an
external, accessible adjustment which provides an indication of
positioning to the machine operator provides significant advantages over
prior art trial and error adjustments which could be carried out only when
the apparatus was shut down.
In packing device 60, orbital packer fingers 62 pull the individual bags 28
away from the transfer drum surface and deposit the bags into a stack 64
on delivery table 65. As shown by the phantom lines, as well as by the
views in FIGS. 4-6, fingers 62 preferably extend and contact across
substantially the full width of bags 28 as the bags are removed from drum
40. However, the timing and adjustment devices of the present invention
are also useful when operated in conjunction with an apparatus equipped
with conventional, shorter length packer fingers. The surface of fingers
62 which contact bags 28 may be specially treated or finished to provide a
high degree of friction during the time when bags 28 are moving at a high
velocity relative to the finger surface. This high degree of friction will
tend to decelerate the bags as they are stacked on table 65.
At a precise time, count fingers 66 pivot between the position shown in
phantom lines completely out of the stream of bags into the position shown
to separate the stack 64 of bags into the desired count. The delivery
table 65 may be lowered to permit a clamp assembly (not shown) to clamp
the stack of bags and transfer it to further conventional equipment for
packaging the bags.
The positioning and operation of packer fingers 62 is shown in FIGS. 2 and
3. As illustrated, a series of packer fingers 62 extend inwardly
substantially normal to the axis of rotation of transfer drum 40 into a
corresponding series of annular grooves 67 extending around the surface of
the transfer drum. Preferably, the length of the fingers is such that when
they fully engage the product bags 28, the ends of the fingers extend
substantially across the full radial width of bags 28 as the bags are
stripped from drum 40. Such full contact by the packer fingers prevents
bag fold over problems as the bags are removed from the drum and stacked.
Also illustrated are the angled tips 62a of fingers 62. The tips 62a
preferably are angled at an acute angle, and most preferably at an angle
of less than about 45 degrees, to aid in clearing the leading edges of
succeeding bags 28 as the fingers complete their orbit and return.
Also illustrated in FIG. 2 are portions of the orbital packing machinery
for driving the fingers. The operation of the fingers is in a generally
circular orbit. However, other configurations such as an elliptical orbit
may be utilized. A tube 91, which extends transversely of the packing
machine, is equipped with a bracket 92 which carries packer fingers 62.
Tube 91 is connected at each of its ends to a first gear 95 (see FIG. 8)
which is carried on rotating shaft 94. Tube 91 is also connected to a
second gear 96 by means of a connecting bar 98. Shafts 94 and 97 are
driven by suitable drive means (See FIG. 8). The construction and
operation of the orbital packing machinery is described in greater detail
in U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,050, the disclosure of which is incorporated by
reference.
Referring now to FIGS. 4-7, the operation of the packer fingers 62 is shown
and explained in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the orbit of packer
fingers 62 has positioned the fingers within grooves 67 (shown in FIG. 3)
and has positioned tips 62a to contact the trailing edge of bag 28 carried
on transfer drum 40. At this point, the packer fingers are approximately
60 degrees from the top dead center of their orbit. Only the leading edge
of bag 28 is secured by vacuum; however, the rotation of drum 40 and
static forces combine to maintain bags 28 substantially flat against the
surface of drum 40.
As shown in FIG. 5, the taper on tips 62a permits them to just miss the
next succeeding bag 28 as the orbit of the packer fingers moves them
downward toward stacking table 65. The respective leading and trailing
edges of successive bags are separated only slightly on drum 40.
Typically, the distance of separation is less than about 1/2 inch, and
maybe between about 1/8 to 1/2 inch. This separation is the result of the
slight melt back of the thermoplastic bag material when it was severed and
sealed on the product drum.
In FIG. 5, packer fingers 62 are shown extending and contacting across
substantially the full width of bag 28 at the point where bag 28 is
removed from drum 40. As previously discussed, the vacuum in port 42 is
released just at this point by adjusting the position of movable slug 46
in vacuum manifold 44. As can be seen, the trailing edge of bag 28 is held
against packer fingers 62 to prevent any curling or folding of the bag
edge as it is pulled downwardly toward stacking table 65. At this point,
the packer fingers are approximately 80 degrees from bottom dead center of
their orbit.
In prior art apparatuses, the trailing edges of the bags were not in
contact with the packer fingers and had a tendency to curl or fold as they
were stacked. This sometimes resulted in stacking and misalignment
problems which caused machine jamming or improper loading of the bags into
packaging. The apparatus and method of the present invention prevents bag
curl or fold over by extending the packer fingers to extend substantially
across the entire width of bags 28.
Referring now to FIG. 6, bag 28 has been removed from drum 40 and has been
pulled downwardly toward stacking table 65 by packer fingers 62. The
leading edge of bag 28 is just contacting backstop 65a. At this point,
packer fingers 62 are at bottom dead center of their orbit. In prior art
apparatuses, the timing of the packer fingers was such that the leading
edges of the bags contacted the backstop on the stacking table before the
fingers reached bottom dead center of their orbit. This resulted in the
fingers continuing to push downwardly on the bags, as well as dragging the
bags toward the backstop, sometimes resulting in the crumpling of the bags
against the backstop or the bouncing of the bags against and then away
from the backstop. Both were undesirable.
The method and apparatus of the present invention has advanced the timing
of the packer fingers so that the fingers reach bottom dead center of
their orbit and then begin to move up as the leading edge of the bag
contacts the backstop. This results in the prevention of bag crumpling and
bounce. Finally, as shown in FIG. 7, packer fingers 62 orbit upwardly,
with tips 62a just clearing the leading edge of the next succeeding bag
before beginning a new orbit.
To obtain precise control of the timing of the orbital packer fingers 62,
which strip bags 28 from transfer drum 40, the apparatus of the present
invention includes means for adjusting the timing of the packer fingers
relative to transfer drum 40. Additionally, to obtain the same precise
control of the count fingers 66, which fire into the stack of bags 28 on
delivery table 65, the apparatus of the present invention includes means
for adjusting the timing of the count finger "dive" into the stack of bags
relative to the orbital packer fingers.
Referring now to FIGS. 8-13, the drive assembly for the orbital packing
device 60 is shown. Power from a main drive shaft 100 is used to drive
orbital packer 60 indirectly through coupling 102, reducer gear box 104
and heavy duty timing belt 106. Timing belt 106 drives phaser 108, which
in turn drives orbital packer drive shaft 109 and gears 95, 96 (see FIG.
2). Further, gear box 104 also drives the front end of the apparatus,
including the count fingers, through gears 138, 139, and 140 via drive
shaft 114.
As best shown in FIG. 9, phaser 108 is located in-line with orbital packer
drive shaft 109, and is connected to shaft 109 with a flexible coupling
110. Timing belt 106 and tensioning device 112 connect the phaser 108 to
the reducer gear box shaft 114. The phaser 108 is designed so that it
makes exactly one rotation of 360.degree. for each bag 28 removed by
orbital packer 60. Tensioning device 112 includes an idler pulley 116
mounted on tensioner bracket 118.
Phaser 108, which may be a Fairchild FHT-A1 differential transmission
available from Fairchild Industrial Products Company, permits the precise
adjustment of the pick off position of packer fingers 62 relative to
transfer drum 40 while the apparatus is in operation. As practiced by the
present invention, this adjustment is made by turning hand wheel 118
either clockwise to advance the timing or counterclockwise to retard the
timing of orbital packer 60 and packer fingers 62. As best shown in FIGS.
11-13, hand wheel 118 is connected, through correction shafts 120, 122,
and 124, and universal joints 126, 128, to phaser 108.
Hand wheel 118 is also connected, through gears 130 and 131, to a digital
counter 132. By maintaining a proper gear ratio between hand wheel 118 and
counter 132, an operator of the device may maintain precise control over
the packer finger timing. For example, the gear ratio may be chosen so
that for every one digit change on the counter, the packer finger timing
is adjusted by 0.1.degree.. Thus, to advance the packer finger timing by
1.0.degree., the hand wheel would be turned clockwise to raise the counter
reading by 10 digits. Likewise, to retard the packer finger timing by
1.0.degree., the hand wheel would be turned counterclockwise to lower the
counter reading by 10 digits.
Because of the longer packer fingers which may be employed in the practice
of the present invention, this precise control of timing is important. By
using the apparatus of the present invention, the packer finger timing may
be controlled to within +/-0.1.degree. of rotation while the machine is in
operation. This contrasts to prior art machines in which the timing could
only be adjusted laboriously by hand to within 2.degree.-3.degree. of
packer rotation while the machine was shut down.
To control precisely the timing of the count fingers 66, the apparatus of
the present invention also includes a second phaser 134 which is driven in
conjunction with phaser 108. The output drive shaft 136 of phaser 134
drives the front end of the apparatus including quadrant gear 138, gear
139, and count gear 140. Count gear 140, in turn, controls the timing of
count fingers 66 as they dive into a stack of bags 28 at the proper time.
Thus, phaser 134 enables precise control of the timing of count fingers 66
in relation to the orbital packer fingers 62.
As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10-13, the timing of the count fingers through
second phaser 134 is effected by turning hand wheel 142, which is
connected to phaser 134 through correction shafts 144, 146, and 148, and
flexible universal joints 150, 152. Hand wheel 142 is also connected,
through gears 154 and 155, to a second digital counter 156. By maintaining
a known gear ratio between hand wheel 142 and counter 156, an operator of
the device may maintain precise control over the count finger timing. For
example, the gear ratio may be chosen so that for every one digit change
on the counter, the count finger timing is adjusted by 0.1.degree.
relative to a single bag. Thus, to advance the count finger timing by
1.0.degree., the hand wheel would be turned counterclockwise to raise the
counter reading by 10 digits. Likewise, to retard the count finger timing
by 1.0.degree., the hand wheel would be turned clockwise to lower the
counter reading by 10 digits.
The present invention permits this precise adjustment while the apparatus
is in operation. This contrasts with prior art machinery which required
laborious trial and error adjustments with the machinery shut down.
While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for
purposes of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art that various changes in the methods and apparatus
disclosed herein may be made without departing from the scope of the
invention, which is defined in the appended claims.
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